Why do NASCAR drivers kiss the bricks after winning the Indianapolis race?

Ever wondered why NASCAR drivers celebrate their victories at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by kissing a certain area on the frontstretch? Let's delve deeper into the history behind the unique tradition that was accidentally started by former NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hall of Famer, Dale Jarrett.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was originally covered in bricks back in 1909, which were later removed and replaced with asphalt. However, to honor the history of the famed 2.589-mile racetrack, the officials decided to let a part of the bricks stay.

The three-foot wide section, today known as the "Yard of Bricks" marks the start-finish line on the frontstretch. In 1996, Jarrett won the Brickyard 400, and moments later, he and his crew chief Todd Parrott decided to celebrate the win by kissing the "Yard of Bricks".

In a recent NASCAR video on Instagram, a media individual recalled the same and said:

"After winning the Brickyard400 in 1996, Dale Jarrett and his crew chief Todd Parrott came up with an idea. Let's celebrate this win by going over to the "Yard of Bricks" and making out with them. And the rest is history."

However, some drivers like RFK Racing owner-driver, Brad Keselowski, have put their twist on the 28-year-old tradition. Hilariously, the same video showed Keselowski licking the "Yard of Bricks" instead of planting a celebratory kiss on it.

"Now every driver that wins a race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway takes part in this tradition. And some even put their own signature spin on it," the media individual added.

This year, the IMS Oval will host a Cup Series race for the first time since 2020. Previously, NASCAR has run Xfinity Series races here, but those were on the Indy road course and not on the Oval. Tune in to the 160-lap race on July 21, 2:30 pm ET on NBC Sports, and Peacock. Fans can also listen to live radio updates on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

The history behind 3.2 million bricks at NASCAR's "Brickyard"

According to reports, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is the former home to the United States Grand Prix and the Indianapolis Motorcycle Grand Prix, was not originally covered in bricks before 1909. Carl Fisher, the promoter who was in charge of construction, decided to use "a sticky amalgam of gravel, limestone, tar and 220,000 gallons of asphaltum oil" (as per sportingnews.com) for the job.

Unfortunately, that resulted in a disaster. When the track hosted its first race on August 13, 1909, several drivers had their tires destroyed, forcing the event to halt. The track was revamped, but even then it started disintegrating and shooting out dirt, oil, and tar every time wheels were rolling on it.

To make things worse, a driver named Wilford Bacuque, along with his mechanic, faced a tragic death as his car flipped and rammed into the fence. Several other people died when driver Charlier Merz tore his tires, and they flung across the fence into the grandstands. Therefore, Fisher was left with no choice but to repave the track.

According to the official site of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it took the workers 63 days to plant 3.2 million bricks, each weighing over nine pounds. That is what gave this iconic track its iconic name, which stayed on even after the bricks were completely replaced with asphalt in 1961.